KAMPALA – Ivan Kirumira, known by his stage name Silver O, a young artist hailing from Luweero is concerned about how the music industry is being torn apart by politics.
Kirumira believes artists joining politics risk the future of the music industry in the country since the two cannot have a levelled playing field.
“I believe this will lead to a standstill in our music industry thereby affecting the young music generation in achieving their dreams when new tight rules and regulations have been set for the industry,” he says.
He advises musicians to do away with politics and continue being a voice through which people’s messages are relayed to the concerned authorities through their music.
“Combining music and politics is rooted with conflicts in the music industry since it is associated with open communication. As artists, we should just be a vessel through which people can make choices of leaders that will work upon our communal problems for our country to develop,” he explained.
On August 5th, over 80 artists came out to pledge their support and loyalty to the presidential hopeful Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in the forthcoming general elections. The artists, some of which are looking at several political positions at the different electoral levels announced their loyalty to Kyagulanyi at the NUP Party headquarters in Kamwokya
According to Kirumira, music and politics breed conflict because the two cannot co-exist since they eventually override one’s sense of judgement.
The artist says the industry itself has problems that range from the high costs of production especially for the upcoming artists to sustaining the stardom if chance gets you there.
“I respect all those considered to be hit makers in Uganda because it is a big struggle to have one to your name. Upcoming musicians, let us give respect to our big artists who have sustained themselves at the top for some time because it is not an easy venture,” he explains.
Kirumira, a young artist signed under Fitz Management started his musical career in 2018 after discovering the potential in him and the support he received from his mates at Luwero High School.
Born to Mr Samuel Kasule and Ms Prossy Nakku, the young star likes music because to him it is an expression of emotions and different ideas that shows that one is innovative.
The stylish singer who sings about hove in his songs has tunes such as Jangu Eno, My Share, Watuuka among others and his genre is RnB.
He looks up to singers like Spice Diana, Cindy, Sheebah, Fefe Busi, Kapa Cat among others who he hopes to work with some day if an opportunity presents itself.
